Countries with conflicting claims in the South China Sea should strive for a positive outcome for all rather than a zero-sum result, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said.

If they seek the latter outcome – where a gain for one side is a loss for another – these disputes that have made recent headlines will be difficult to solve, he added yesterday. They may lead to a negative outcome should conflict erupt or continuing tensions prevail.

“No one would be able to benefit from access to the potentially vast resources,” Mr Teo said at a conference organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and United States think-tank The Brookings Institution.